Mariama J. Lockington is a transracial adoptee, author, and educator. She has been telling stories and making her own books since the second grade, when she wore shortalls and flower leggings every day to school. Mariama’s middle grade debut, For Black Girls Like Me, earned five starred reviews and was a Today Show Best Kids’ Book of 2019. Her sophomore middle grade book, In the Key of Us, is a Stonewall Honor Award book and was featured in the New York Times. Her debut young adult novel, Forever Is Now, came out in May 2023. Mariama holds a master’s in education from Lesley University and a master’s in fine arts in poetry from San Francisco State University. She calls many places home but currently lives in Kentucky with her wife, her little sausage dog, Henry, and an abundance of plants. You can find her on Twitter @marilock and on Instagram/TikTok @forblackgirlslikeme.